“Nakoa does not disappoint. In fact, between his piano chops, charismatic stage presence, and heartfelt originals on guitar, he drops jaws.”The Boston Globe

“Matt Nakoa left us breathless . . . The music was of symphonic scale and show-stopping, cosmic proportion.”Elmore Magazine

“Matt Nakoa is a musical adept, one of those well kept secrets you just can’t help but celebrate: intimate and genuine, soulful and bittersweet, a rich poetic songbook sung in praise to a complicated, emotionally present world.”CoverLayDown.com

“Matt is definitely on his way up. I’m hoping he’ll let me open for him when he’s doing stadiums.”Tom Rush - Folk Music Icon

“Matt Nakoa brings a certain joyful fire to performing and songwriting. Completely at ease in his own skin, Nakoa’s on-stage persona appears exactly as he is: ready to take on the world.”FOUND Magazine - Winter 2014 Issue

WATCH

Beggar by the Weekend “Official Video”

Stormchaser

Light in the Dark

Ballad of Jenny Kane

Fool Of A Knight

If You’re Tryin’ to Break My Heart

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About

MATT NAKOA grew up on a small goat farm in Smyrna, NY and began composing music as a teenager. Following a formative stint as a classical pianist, Matt won scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston. There he studied alongside soon-to-be Grammy winners St. Vincent and Esperanza Spaulding among others. After college, Matt toured with his band, The Fens, and eventually landed in New York City’s vibrant piano bar scene. Matt quickly became a star performer at Manhattan’s Brandy’s Piano Bar, with lines outside the door each Saturday night.

Matt’s first solo album, Light In The Dark (2012), is an eclectic pop opus. In contrast, A Dozen Other Loves (2014), explores a simple acoustic palette. This intimate collection has earned many songwriting awards, including a win at Kerrville Folk Festival’s prestigious New Folk Competition. Additionally, Matt’s piano music has received favorable reviews in publications including The New York Times, and his film scoring has been featured by Disney. Matt now tours internationally, recently performing at The White House, throughout India, and regularly with folk music icon Tom Rush.

Announcing: Texas Tour with Kerrville New Folk Winners!

Matt Nakoa Named New Folk Winner at Kerrville Folk Festival!

“The Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition is a yearly competition to discover promising new singer-songwriters. Thirty-two finalists are selected from a field of 800 entries to share two of their...